The Union Castle R Class ships ROWALLAN, RUSTENBURG, RIEBEECK, RICHMOND, ROSLIN and ROCHESTER CASTLE were primarily used for the South African fruit trade and laid up in the River Blackwater each year for about three months out of season.
15 February 1967 Tony Wilding signed on in Maldon, for a voyage on RIEBEECK CASTLE.
An entry on www.shipsnostalgia.com gives a realistic view of a trip on the vessel.
"I joined RIEBEECK CASTLE in the Blackwater, what a mess, got on coach at King George V Dock, had to bump start it, got soaked on fishing boat joining ship, half the Engine Room crowd refused to sail, red rust down below, sailed to Las Palmas for bunkers, almost got logged, missed 2 watches, on return voyage in Las Palmas 2 weeks broken down on shore power, scavenge fires every day, the good old days, ?

Above: Union Castle RIEBEECK CASTLE, thought to be during one of her visits to the River Blackwater - she was in the river 1962, 1963 and 1966-67. Date: 1960s.Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection